Proposed Maine Law Would Make It Illegal To Drive With Snow-Covered Car

It's good common sense to make sure that your car is cleared of snow and ice before you hit the road, for the safety of yourself and the other drivers on the road.

Now, Maine is considering a new law that would make it illegal to drive with a snow-covered vehicle, with drivers incurring a $250 fine for the first offense.

Tomorrow, (May 7) Maine lawmakers will hold a public hearing on LD1527 “An Act To Require That Certain Motor Vehicles Be Clear of Snow and Ice When Operated on Public Ways," which would require drivers to make sure their vehicles are clear of "solid precipitation," defined as snow, ice, hail and sleet.

The text of the proposed bill reads as follows:

A person may not operate a motor vehicle at a speed of 40 miles per hour or more on a public way with a load of solid precipitation on the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subsection, "solid precipitation" includes, but is not limited to, snow, ice, hail and sleet.

When the load of solid precipitation on a motor vehicle consists of minor amounts, and a reasonable effort has been made to completely remove the load, minor amounts blown from the motor vehicle while in transit do not evidence a violation of this subsection.

A violation of this subsection is a traffic infraction subject to a fine of not less than $250 for the first offense and not less than $500 for a 2nd or subsequent offense.

Currently, the law only prevents drivers from driving with, "a sign, poster, opaque or semitransparent material or substance on the front windshield, side wing or side or rear window that obstructs the operator's clear view of the way or an intersecting way.”